Was Cruiserweight Holyfield The Most Complete Fighter Ever

Discussion in 'Classic Boxing Forum' started by emallini, Dec 9, 2015.

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  1. emallini

    emallini Boxing Junkie banned Full Member

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    Power Speed Chin Defense Ring IQ Heart Could fight inside and outside Had every punch in the book He had absolutely everything. Is there a more complete fighter than Holyfield at Cruiser?
     
    emallini, Dec 9, 2015
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  2. fists of fury

    fists of fury Obsessed with Boxing Full Member

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    Several. But Holyfield at the old 190 pounds was a special fighter.
     
    fists of fury, Dec 9, 2015
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  3. lufcrazy

    lufcrazy requiescat in pace

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    Bit like Floyd at SFW in that he looked as complete as a fighter could look, but the opponents weren't as great as those he would later face.

    But I mean, tbh, you could watch a fight from most great fighters and say they look complete.
     
    lufcrazy, Dec 9, 2015
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  4. IntentionalButt

    IntentionalButt FROM THE RIVER TO THE SEA Full Member

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    For some reason the first name that popped into my head while pondering this was Sánchez @ 126.

    It'd be very interesting to see people do a side-by-side breakdown of both guys at these weights across the full spectrum of tangible and intangible qualities and see what's come up with.
     
    IntentionalButt, Dec 9, 2015
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  5. fists of fury

    fists of fury Obsessed with Boxing Full Member

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    I just think it boils down to experience basically. Holyfield was terribly inexperienced (yet amazingly mature) at 190. No fighter that has 15, 16 fights can really be considered mature. Contrast that with SRR, Greb, Armstrong etc who had 200, 300 fights.

    He got by, by being an amazing physical specimen. (With world-class skills that still needed honing.)
     
    fists of fury, Dec 9, 2015
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  6. mr. magoo

    mr. magoo VIP Member Full Member

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    Not the most complete fighter ever.. But certainly a very well rounded package..
     
    mr. magoo, Dec 9, 2015
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  7. fists of fury

    fists of fury Obsessed with Boxing Full Member

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    I want to d/load Holyfield-Parkey again. I had it but a format of my HDD wiped it out. I loved how aggressive Parkey started but Holyfield just weathers the storm and takes over. Fun fight to watch.
     
    fists of fury, Dec 9, 2015
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  8. heizenberg

    heizenberg Well-Known Member Full Member

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    I don't know if he was the MOST complete but he was one of them. At cruiserweight Holyfield in my eyes seemed close to being unbeatable especially after the first Qawi fight. Holyfield is a consensus top 10 heavyweight but I believe an easy argument can be made for him being a top 10 pound for pound when you look at how great he was as a cruiserweight.
     
    heizenberg, Dec 10, 2015
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  9. kingfisher3

    kingfisher3 Boxing Addict Full Member

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    jofre was pretty complete.

    it's awesome to be able to do everything, but imo it's more important to do the right thing at the right time. not that holy didn't, but i think others are better in that regard.
     
    kingfisher3, Dec 10, 2015
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  10. Titan1

    Titan1 Boxing Junkie Full Member

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    He was up there. But the most complete fighter ever was Sugar Ray Leonard at 147.
     
    Titan1, Dec 10, 2015
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  11. 2piece

    2piece Well-Known Member Full Member

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    I've always considered a prime Marvin Hagler the most complete.
     
    2piece, Dec 10, 2015
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  12. latineg

    latineg user of dude wipes Full Member

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    yes, imo I think he "could" of been the best ever from 190-200,

    maybe a few guys out there more skilled than him in one way or another but the overall complete score for Holy when adding everything up is off the charts,,,

    I know guys will argue for Rocky and Dempsey etc etc, maybe as who really knows, all I know is I would bet on Holyfield at that weight in his prime, he was a fluid machine :bbb
     
    latineg, Dec 10, 2015
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  13. mrkoolkevin

    mrkoolkevin Never wrestle with pigs or argue with fools Full Member

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    How was he more complete than Sugar Ray Leonard at welterweight? Or Mayweather at junior lightweight?
     
    mrkoolkevin, Dec 10, 2015
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  14. latineg

    latineg user of dude wipes Full Member

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    I took him to mean just among cruiserweights :huh
     
    latineg, Dec 10, 2015
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  15. Wass1985

    Wass1985 Boxing Junkie Full Member

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    Would anyone on here fancy Holyfield beating Marciano at 190lb?
     
    Wass1985, Dec 10, 2015
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